Page 110 of The Love Playbook

“Yeah, some of us are having a crisis over here.” Damon sulks.

I raise my hands innocently. “I wasn’t even touching her.”

“Not yet.” Elizabeth smirks.

“If every other time we’ve hung out in the last couple of weeks is any indication, you’ll be all over her in two seconds.” Brandon shakes his head with a grimace.

“Hey, my love language is touch.” I point to my chest. “And I have needs.”

“Aww.” Charlotte laughs, leaning close to place a kiss on my cheek. “Poor baby.”

“At leastsomeonegets me,” I mumble as I turn into her, capturing her mouth with mine before she can pull away.

Damon groans, and Brandon shouts, “See!” He holds his hand out, as if he’s demonstrating something.

“And there it is.” Elizabeth claps, laughing.

“I mean, you may be nauseating,” Jace says, “but I can’t say I’m not at least a little impressed. Never thought you’d pull Charlotte. Might be worth taking his advice.”

“On that note, I’m out.” Damon pushes out of his seat to a chorus of groans and protests.

“Come on, man. The night is young. Don’t leave me here with them,” Brandon pleads.

“Nope.” Damon draws a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m going back to my apartment where I plan on passing out until noon tomorrow. After this afternoon’s win, I think we all deserve it.”

“Riiiiight,” I drawl. “More like he’s going to lie in bed all night staring at pics of Avery.”

“Who’s Avery?” Brynn asks with a frown, her gaze bouncing between us.

“No one.” Damon points his beer bottle at Jace as if to threaten him to silence. “Avery is no one important.”

“I’ll fill you in later, babe,” Jace whispers with a wink while Damon scowls at him.

“Actually, I have an early morning, too,” Tatum chimes in. “I wouldn’t mind heading back now. Think I could catch a ride?”

“With me?” Damon asks, eyes round like the moon.

“Yeah.” Tatum chuckles.

His gaze darts to Brandon and back while he scratches his head, clearly uncomfortable. “Er . . .”

“I can take you home.” Brandon rises to his feet beside them.

“Don’t you want to stay?” she asks. “It’s not a big deal catching a ride. Don’t leave on account of me.”

Brandon frowns, his forehead creasing as his gaze slides between his two friends, no doubt assessing the situation and trying to determine whether Tatum is being genuine or if she has a thing for our quarterback. “It’s not a big deal. We came together, and I’m ready to go if you are.”

“If you’re sure,” Tatum says with a shrug.

“Oh, he’s sure,” I mutter under my breath, which earns me Brandon’s favorite finger.

“I’m guessing the four of you are going to bail now, too?” Elizabeth asks with a huff.

Charlotte winces. “We can stay,” she says in a way that’s obvious she’s only doing it as a favor to her friend.

Elizabeth groans. “No. Get out of here. Go.”

Brynn starts to protest, but Elizabeth silences her. “I’ll just be a fifth wheel anyway.” With a sigh, she stands and follows the others out of the booth. “Man, I need a boyfriend. You boys have an entire football team. Think you can help a girl out?”

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